The American
Dietetic Association (ADA), the world's largest organization of food
and nutrition professionals, has updated its position paper on
vegetarian diets. ADA's position reads: "It is the position of the
American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian
diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful,
nutritionally adequate and may provide health benefits in the
prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned
vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages
of the life-cycle including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood
and adolescence and for athletes." It also expands on the
evidence-based review showed a vegetarian diet is associated with a
lower risk of death from ischemic heart disease and the protection
of certain cancers.